Dispenser for heated material having means to prepare the surface to be heated



Sept. 14, 1965 L. FARRELL 3,206,125 DISPENSER FOR HEATED MATERIAL HAVINGMEANS TO PREPARE THE SURFACE TO BE HEATED 2 Sheets-$heet 1 Filed Aug. 1,1962 I N VEN TOR. Lou/s fia geu.

P 1965 L. FARRELL 3,206,125

DISPENSER FOR HEATED MATERIAL HAVING MEANS TO PREPARE THE SURFACE TO BEHEATED 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 1, 1962 INVENTOR. Cows 34 .96 BY W WuArrvqwsya United States Patent 3,206,125 DISPENSER FOR HEATED MATERIALHAV- ING MEANS TO PREPARE THE SURFACE TO BE HEATED Louis Farrell, BankSt., Califon, NJ. Filed Aug. 1, 1962, Ser. No. 213,930 4 Claims. (Cl.239-135) This invention relates to a dispensing device and moreparticularly to a device for applying compound for filling and sealingthe joints in highway structures, pipes and the like.

In the construction of concrete highways it is standard practice to pourthe concrete in elongated slabs disposed within an arrangement of metalforms. Since the concrete expands and contracts with temperaturechanges, it is necessary to leave a transverse space or joint betweenthe ends of adjacent slabs. In constructing adjacent lanes, the presenceof the metal forms results in longitudinal joints which permittransverse expansion of the slabs in each lane. Once the concrete hasset and the forms removed, it is necessary to fill and seal all of thejoints in order not only to prevent the entry of water but also to levelthe opening of the joints with respect to the adjacent portions of theconcrete slab so that a substantially smooth road surface can beobtained. The entry of water into the joints can be destructive to thehighway since during cold weather any accumulation of water in thejoints and beneath them can freeze and the expansion of the ice cancrack the concrete and heave the slab up from the subgrade. Similarly asin the case of concrete highway construction, concrete pipes especiallythose used in sewerage work are provided with joints which must besealed after the pipes are placed in position. Here it is necessary thatthe joint be completely filled since otherwise leakage of contaminatedliquids can occur.

The joints are commonly filled with bituminous joint compounds such asthose consisting of pure asphalt or asphalt with a percentage of filler.In splite of the mechanization of highway construction, it is commonpractice to fill the joints with the compound by manual methods. Thusthe compound is heated in a kettle or vat by means of an oil-firedfurnace, the firing rate of which is manually controlled in view ofvisual checks of the melting compound. The melted compound is tappedfrom the vat into containers each of which has a pouring spout. Prior tofilling and sealing, the joints are swept out and made ready for thecompound. The containers are then handcarried to the portion of thejoint to be sealed and by means of the pouring spout, the joint compoundis poured into the joint. With such a system it is obvious that it isdifficult to obtain uniform high quality and efficiency in the fillingof the joints. If the furnace is permitted to overheat the compound orto heat it for too long a period of time, the compound can becomecarbonized and brittle. An overheated compound can make steam in thejoint causing the compound to be blown clear out of it while on theother hand an underheated compound, due to its viscosity, may fail tocompletely fill the joint or harden before the joint is completelyfilled. The method of filling the joints from containers is not only aninherently slow and tedious process but it also exposes the workers toserious injury if the melted compound is accidentally spilled from thecontainer or from the vat during the filling of the container.

It is an object of the invention, to provide a dispensing device fordelivering a flow of material adjacent a Work area and for conditioningthe work area to receive the material.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a dispensing devicefor delivering a flow of heated material adjacent a work area and forconditioning the work area to receive the heated material.

It is another object of the invention to provide a dispensing device fordelivering heated joint compound to adjacent the joint to be filled andfor cleaning the joint prior to filling.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a dispensingdevice for delivering compound under controlled temperature conditionsto a joint to be filled.

It is an additional object of the invention to provide a portableapparatus which is adapted to melt the compound, deliver it to thejoint, and to provide the means for cleaning the joint in advance offilling.

In one embodiment of the invention an electrically heated vat isprovided to melt the joint compound. Means are provided for maintainingthe joint compound at a predetermined temperature within the vat. Themelted compound is delivered from the vat by a hose arrangement whichalso is maintained at a predetermined temperature. The hose is providedwith an applicator which is adapted to direct a stream of meltedcompound directly into the joint in order to insure that the joint iscompletely and properly filled and sealed.

In another embodiment of the invention, the applicator or nozzle at thefree end of the heated delivery hose is provided with means for cleaningthe joint adjacent to the area where the compound is introduced. Themeans for cleaning can comprise a nozzle adapted to inject a stream ofcompressed air into the joint adjacent to the nozzle delivering themelted compound.

In still another embodiment of the invention, the dispensing equipmentis integrated into a portable unit. The vat as well as the hose andapplicator are electrically heated by current supplied from a generatorlocated adjacent to the vat. The unit further includes an air compressorlocated adjacent the vat for delivering compressed air to the nozzle forcleaning the joint.

Other objects and features will become apparent in the followingdescription and claims and in the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary horizontal section view of the dispenser showingthe electrically heated vat, the electrically heated hose andapplicator, and the compressed air cleaning nozzle;

FIG. 2 is a vertical section view of the vat taken along line 2-2 inFIG. 1 and showing the vat provided with electrical strip heaters and aninsulating jacket;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary vertical section view taken along the line 3-3in FIG. 2 and further showing an electrical strip heater and theinsulating jacket;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the applicator showing the nozzles forboth the melted compound and the compressed air.

The dispensing device of the invention is shown in FIG. 1. Vat 10 servesas the means for containing a quantity of the joint compound while it isbeing melted and heated to a predetermined temperature. Vat 10 isprovided with inner and outer walls 10a and 1012, respectively. Thewalls are separated from one another and the space between them isfilled with insulating material 11, such as fiberglass. The means forheating the compound in vat 10 includes electrical strip heaters 12which are positioned adjacent to the bottom inner wall of the vat byfasteners 12a (FIG. 3). With this arrangement, heat from the stripheaters is conducted directly through the inner wall of the vat to thecompound. By placing the strip heaters along the bottom of the vat, itis insured that substantially all of the heat is transferred to thecompound and that the convection currents resulting from the heating ofthe bottom portion of the vat pro-motes rapid and uniform heating of thecompound.

As shown in FIG. 2, vat It) is provided with cover 13 which includessections 13a and 13b connected by hinge 13c. Either section of the covercan be raised to permit the insertion of unmelted compound into the vat.Leads 15a and b which are connected to a source of electrical energysuch as generator 14 provide the current to the strip heaters. Thetemperature of the compound Within the vat is determined by temperaturesensor or bulb 16 located adjacent inner wall 10a. The response of thebulb is transmitted by tube 17 to thermostat switch 1%. Thus thetemperature sensor arrangements can be of the vapor or pressure type,the response of which is transmitted from the bulb by a capillary tubeto the thermostat control switch. Thermostat switch 18 in turn controlsthe flow of currents to the strip heaters in order to maintain apredetermined temperature condition within the vat. The thermostatswitch can be set to maintain a predetermined temperature condition atbulb 16. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 the thermostat switch is connected inseries with the parallel arrangement of strip heaters.

The melted compound is carried from vat 10 to applicator 19 by hose 20.As shown in FIG. 2, hose 20 includes inner flexible tube 2% surroundedby heater 20b and insulating cover 200. Heater Ztlb can be the woventype fabricated from electrical resistance wire which is woven in a formadapted to be wrapped about inner flexible tube 2110. Rapid transfer ofheat from heater 20b to the melted compound within the tube is enhancedby placing the heater directly along the outer surface of the tubing andforming the tubing from a highly conductive metal such as copper. Inthis way the temperature of the melted compound is maintained at apredetermined level not only within the vat but also while the compoundpasses from the vat to the applicator. Loss of heat from heater 2% isprevented by encasing the heater with insulating cover or jacket 20csuch as one containing fiberglass. Vat 19 is provided with fitting 21adjacent its bottom portion for passing the melted compound into hose20. Valve 22 inserted between the connector and hose enables the flow ofcompound to the hose to be shut off such as when the compound is to beallowed to cool and harden. Thus by closing valve 22, the hose can bedrained or even removed from the vat.

Applicator 19 includes tubular body portion 19a and nozzle 1%. Valve 23which connects the applicator to hose 20 serves to control the flow ofmelted compound through the applicator and also enables the flow to beshut off whenever desired. Knob 23a permits adjustment of the valve.Heater 2% and insulating cover 290 extend over the applicator in orderthat it be heated in a similar manner as hose 2%. Hose 20 is providedwith thermostat switch 24 which is mounted adjacent to hose 20 in orderto sense its temperature. Switch 24 controls the flow of electricalcurrent from leads Site and b to heater 20b to maintain the compound ata predetermined temperature. In this way temperature of the compound canbe maintained at a predetermined temperature not only within the vat butin the hose and regardless of whether flow is taking place or has beenterminated. This arrangement insures that the viscosity of the compoundis maintained at the desired point for the proper application to thejoints.

In order to clean the joint in advance of the application of thecompound, applicator 19 is provided with cleaning nozzle 25 mountedadjacent to nozzle 19b. Tube 25:: connects nozzle 25 to air controlvalve 26. Pipe 27 connects the control valve to hose 28 which isdisposed adjacent to hose 20. Adjacent to vat 10 air hose 28 isconnected to supply pipe 29 of the compressed air source 30. As shown inFIG. 4 nozzle 25 is disposed at an angle to the axis of nozzle 1% inorder that the jet of air passing from without nozzle 25 is directedinto joint 31 of working surface 32 ahead of the stream of jointcompound 33. In this manner foreign material such as dust, sand,moisture and the like, are blown from within joint 31 thereby preparingit to receive the melted compound. Devices other than those producing ajet of compressed air can be used to condition the joint to receive thecompound. Thus for example, fluids other than air can be sprayed aheadof the stream of material being delivered to the joint. The operator cancontrol the flow of compressed air as desired by means of button 26a onthe control valve. Thus the air blast into the joint is operated onlywhen required by the condition of the joint.

As shown in FIG. 1 the means for supplying the compressed air and theelectrical power, that is air compressor 3'0 and generator 14,respectively, can be positioned adjacent to vat 10 with the result thata compact and integrated portable dispenser is obtained.

While certain embodiments of the invention have been shown and describedherein, it is understood that certain changes, additions, andsubstitutions can be made without departing from the scope and spirit ofthe invention.

What is claimed:

1. A portable device for dispensing sealing compound into a joint or thelike comprising a container adapted to receive a quantity of thecompound, means supported by said container for electrically heatingsaid container, a tube connected at one end portion thereof to saidcontainer, said tube being adapted to convey said compound through theother end portion thereof to adjacent the joint, additional meanssupported 'by said tube and adjacent thereto for electrically heatingthe compound therein, means connected to said heating means and saidadditional heating means for energizing the same, means supported bysaid tube and disposed about said tube and said heating means forretarding the outward flow of heat therefrom, means for providing asource of pressured fluid, and an additional tube connected at one endportion thereof to said source providing means, the other end portion ofsaid additional tube being supported by said tube adjacent the other endportion thereof, said additional tube being adapted to convey a flow ofpressured fluid through the other end thereof to adjacent the said jointto prepare the joint to receive the compound, the other end portion ofsaid tube and the other end portion of said additional tube beingdisposed relative to one another to deliver flows of fluid and materialwhich are spaced apart throughout their length.

2. A device for applying material at an elevated temperatnre to a workarea comprising a tubular body member adapted to receive material at oneend portion thereof and to deliver a flow of the material at the otherend portion thereof adjacent the work area, means connected to saidtubular body member for controlling the rate of delivery of saidmaterial therefrom, means supported by said body member adjacent theretofor heating the material therein, means supported by said body memberand disposed about said body member and said heating means for retardingthe outward flow of heat therefrom, an additional tubular memberpositioned adjacent and supported by said body member, said tubularmember being adapted to receive a flow of fluid at one end portionthereof and to deliver the flow of fluid at the other end portionthereof adjacent the work area adapted to receive the material, theother end portion of said additional tubular member and the other endportion of said tubular member being disposed relative to one another todeliver flow of fluid and material which are spaced apart throughouttheir length, and means connected to said tubular member for controllingthe rate of delivery of fluid therefrom.

3. A device for applying material at an elevated temperature to a workarea comprising a tubular body member adapted to receive material at oneend portion thereof, a nozzle member connected to and extending at anangle from the other end portion of said body member, said nozzle memberbeing adapted to deliver the material in a predetermined direction fromsaid body member to adjacent the work area, means connected to saidnozzle member for controlling the rate of delivery of said materialtherefrom, means supported by said body member adjacent thereto forheating the material therein, means supported by said member anddisposed about said body member and said heating means for retarding theoutward flow of heat therefrom, a tubular member supported by said bodymember and extending adjacent said nozzle member at an angle thereto,said tubular member being adapted to deliver a flow of fluid extendingaway from said flow of material to adjacent the work area adapted toreceive the material, and means connected to said tubular member forcontrolling the rate of delivery of fluid therefrom.

4. A device for dispensing sealing compound into a joint or the likecomprising a container adapted to receive a quantity of the compound,means disposed adjacent a wall of said container for electricallyheating said container, a flexible tube connected at one end portionthereof to said container, said tube being adapted to dispense a flow ofsaid compound through the other end portion thereof in a predetermineddirection to adjacent the joint to receive the compound, additionalmeans disposed adjacent and attached to said tube for electricallyheating the compound therein, means mounted on said container forcontrolling the temperature of the compound therein, additional meansdisposed adjacent and supported by said tube for controlling thetemperature of the compound in said tube, means connected to aid heatingmeans and said additional heating means for energizing the same, meanssupported by said tube and disposed about said tube and said heatingmeans for retarding the outward flow of heat therefrom, means forproviding a source of pressure fluid, and an additional tube connectedat one end portion thereof to said source providing means, the other endportion of said additional tube being positioned adjacent and supportedby the other end portion of said tube and extending away from saidpredetermined direction in which the compound is dispensed at an angle,said additional tube being adapted to convey a flow of pressured fluidthrough the other end portion thereof at an angle extending away fromthe direction of the flow of said compound to adjacent the said joint toprepare the joint to receive the compound.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,457,634 6/23Neri 222-146 1,968,992 8/34 Conkling 222-146 2,262,964 11/41 Reilly eta1 239-112 2,478,557 8/49 Bell et al. 239-105 2,610,092 9/52 Thompson239-295 2,614,000 10/52 Reinhold 239-295 2,738,231 3/56 Kurtz 239-2952,762,652 9/56 Carter 239- 2,785,925 3/57 Bell et a] 239-75 3,008,80811/61 Hodges 239-133 M. HENSON WOOD, JR., Primary Examiner.

RAPHAEL M. LUPO, LOUIS I. DEMBO, EVERETT W. KIRBY, Examiners.

1. A PORTABLE DEVICE FOR DISPENSING SEALING COMPOUND INTO A JOINT OR THELIKE COMPRISING A CONTAINER ADAPTED TO RECEIVE A QUANTITY OF THECOMPOUND, MEANS SUPPORTED BY SAID CONTAINER FOR ELECTRICALLY HEATINGSAID CONTAINER, A TUBE CONNECTED AT ONE END PORTION THEREOF TO SAIDCONTAINER, SAID TUBE BEING ADAPTED TO CONVEY SAID COMPOUND THROUGH THEOTHER END PORTION THEREOF TO ADJACENT THE JOINT, ADDITIONAL MEANSSUPPORTED BY SAID TUBE AND ADJACENT THERETO FOR ELECTRICALLY HEATING THECOMPOUND THEREIN, MEANS CONNECTED TO SAID HEATING MEANS AND SAIDADDITIONAL HEATING MEANS FOR ENERGIZING THE SAME, MEANS SUPPORTED BYSAID TUBE AND DISPOSED ABOUT SAID TUBE AND SAID HEATING MEANS FORRETARDING THE OUTWARD FLOW OF HEAT THEREFROM, MEANS FOR PROVIDING ASOURCE OF PRESSURED FLUID, AND AN ADDITIONAL TUBE CONNECTED AT ONE ENDPORTION THEREOF TO SAID SOURCE PROVIDING MEANS, THE OTHER END PORTION OFSAID ADDITIONAL TUBE BEING SUPPORTED BY